Very confused over possible victory .38

[SteveBitowf]

My father gave me what I thought was a Victory.38 s&w revolver. Now I'm not so sure the serial number appears to be 824939 there is no letter prefix. Next to the serial number on the butt are the letters WB then a circle with a flame on top and then the letter P. There is another number stamped on the side just below the made in U.S.A. PO 461. Additionally stamped in several places is a crown wth the letters BNP under it and on the side of the barrel it's marked .38.767" 3 1/2 tons. On top of the barrel partially hidden by the front sight ingfield Mass.U.S.A. pt14.09. Dec.29.14. When the cylinder is open the number 65941 is visible and what appears to be a letter O or Q above the number. The weapon is blue steel the grips and smooth with no ckecker board pattern. It appears as if the front sight was moved since it covers some of the printing on top of the barrel which is only 3 1/2" long. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! This sounds to be a British Service Revolver in .38/200 (.38 S & W chambering). It likely had a 5" barrel and it otherwise similar to the wartime Victory Model; many call it a pre-Victory for this reason.

The proof stampings indicate it was tested for .38 S & W, but many of these had shortened barrels and the chambers were reamed to accept the longer .38 Special; these have longer cases but smaller diameter bullets than .38 S & W so split brass and indifferent accuracy result. If a .38 Special case fully seats it has been altered.

Photos are always helpful in this situation. Hope this is helpful.

 

[Bekeart]

Now I'm not so sure the serial number appears to be 824939 there is no letter prefix.

Do not have my Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson handy - away from home.

Several Victory Models were made using a serial number WITHOUT a prefix. When the serial number sequence reached 999999 the "V" prefix was started. The Flaming Bomb (circle with a flame on top )

Additionally stamped in several places is a crown wth the letters BNP under it and on the side of the barrel it's marked .38.767" 3 1/2 tons.

These marking are British PROOF Marks. This pistol spent some time in England - possibly on its way to battles on the continent.

Bekeart

 

[Absalom]

The only unusual marking is the PO 461, which is not part of either the factory marks, the standard military proofs and ordnance marks (WB, P, and flaming bomb), or the post-war Birmingham commercial proofs (BNP and .38 .767" 3 1/2 tons) that encompass the other markings you've described.

Everything else matches a "pre-Victory" BSR as murphydog described, from mid-1941. Those were shipped blued with checkered walnut medallion stocks, so if it now has the Victory smooth walnut stocks, those are replacements.

The 3.5 inch cut barrel with the moved front sight was done post war.

 

[SteveBitowf]

Thank-you all for the information it's very interesting. I'm working on getting pictures posted of it, computers and I don't get along to well. Some additional information the weapon is chambered for .38 short and the grips are period grips but the serial numbers although deep in the wood are hard to read. I will post more when I can thanks again.

 

[H Richard]

DWalt is right on. I can furnish that I have one with #833351 that shipped Oct. 1941, and mine eventually wound up in Australia, then shipped back after a rebuild there. These are often referred to as "Pre-Victory" models.

 

[SteveBitowf]

All your responses are very helpful and informative. This weapon is priceless to me because for sentimental reasons. One last bit of intriguing information it was give to my father in the early 1950's by a police department in Florida. Again thanks for all your info.

 

[DCWilson]

WB = Waldemar Broberg, the ordnance inspector.

Interesting guy: Memorial

 

[DWalt]

"One last bit of intriguing information it was give to my father in the early 1950's by a police department in Florida".

I do not know when the waves of UK-surplus .38/200s began hitting the USA's shores, but I think it was later than the early 1950s. Maybe someone here knows the import onset date.